The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-13
CAUGHT IN THE COILS.
A vERDANT MISSISSIPPI MERCHANT
NEATLY SwINpLED.
Promises of q Snug Fortune in Well
Counterfeited Currency Too Much
for His Discretion, and He Comes
Out Minus SSlo-One Arrest.

wv N'2fNuo NhO ~NAANSS'
One of the finest illustrations Of "a fool
and his money are soon parted" brought
TO light in some time was developed at
police headquarters last night. 1t is
tue old story Of the ever green coun-
lryman being flim-tlammed outof his
good money by the artful confidence
iiend. Yesterday afternoon, about 3
o'clock, well dressed young man, about
thirty years old, came into the police
Station, and, after giving his name as A,
&. Graham, merchant, of Abbeyillc,
Miss, q station on the Illinois Central
railroad about twelve miles north OF Ok
b ford, in Lafayette county, stated that he
4 had been swindlcd out OF 1915 by two
strangers.
The story, as detailed, was curious TO be-
lieve, and dates back TO last summer. Cor
nelius Graham, brother OF the prescn;
victim, had been in correspondence with
man in New York who gave his name as
II. ii. Garner, who claimed that he was
an ex-employe OF the government money
printing bureau at Washington, and that
4 on his retirement he had secured a full set
OF money dies and was printing genuine
currency which he would sell for Il triiling
consideration. In fact, he offered young
Graham Sli,00Om 81, 81, - and SO bills
for 1915. Graham agreed to purchase the
spurious currency, and Garner wrote him
that he was coming south during the winter
end would let him know when and where
10 meet him. Accordingly, on Saturday
last Graham received dispatch from Gar
ner dated at Louisville, n.y., instructng
him to meet him in this city Sunday, A.
{. Graham, being the elder OF
the brothers and well acquainted
with the objects OF the correspondence,
took il upon himself TO meet Garner and
putting about 81 900 of his hard-carned
lucrc in his pocket, came here Sunday and
took quarters at the Peabody hotel sun
1 day afternoon he was called upon by
young man who introduced himself as
John McNickcs and us the friend OF Mr..
Garner. lie told Graham that hc and
Garner were stopping mt No. Al Poplar
street, and il he wanted the 1000 To
come up 30 their room and get il. Graham
promised to call by noon Monday, and was
faithful 10 his promise When he arrived
at the room he was cordially welcomed BIZ
Garner and McVickcrs, and they pro-
ceeded ut once 20 business Graham
wanted TO see the money, and Gamer
took from n box several packages about
an inch in thickness. bound by u
rubber band. On the top Of the
package was $40 bill and at the bottom
either a - or 81 bill. There were eight OF
these packages, IN which he claimed there
was $4,000. Graham looked on the crisp
new bills, and accounting himself as an
expert Judge Of the almighty dollar, rcadi
Il ~ concluded that they were genuine. lie
gave Garner $50 in good money, and
reaching ever TO take his big Doodle was
stopped by McVickes and Garner who
both remarked that IA he was a stranger il
would not be safe for him 10 be going
around the city with so much money, and
the safest thing was 10 have il expressed to
his home. He willingly asscnted,
and the eight packages were put
into wooden box about
n foot square. nailed up, and McNickors
! sad he would take II to the express Office
II for him. Out Of the room Graham and
4 McNickers started for the Southern cx-
press office. As they went along the
street McNicken interested Graham by
telling him how adroitly the business was
conducted and how remunerative Il was
20 them and their customers. but the ut
most secrecy must be observed.
Arriving at the express Office, McNick-
ers had the package registered and valued
at $50, and paid the charges, 40 cents,
10 Abbcville. They then left, and after
walking around the streets together Tor an
hour, Graham babe McNiCkeB good bye
anal turned into the Peabody. Standing
partially in the door he watched McNick-
ers until he got out Of sight and then
started out for the express office 10 take
n look at his wealth. and, in fact, take
charge OF Il personally, rs hc was going
home ON the o'clock train. The package
was delivered 10 him, and he raised the
lii 10 examine the money. when lol lac
found that between the single bills there
was only blank slips of paper Of like size.
The bills on the eight packages aggregated
$50, hut IL was good money. lie ut once
realized how he had been dupcd in trying
90 buy himself rich, and hastcned 10
police headquarters.
Sergeant Homn accompanied him Ia No.
al Poplar street but Garner and McNick-
en- had skipped. She sergeant posted an
officer at each depot, and himself went to
the Louisville & Nashville depot. About
b:30 O'Clock, as he and Graham stood in
the hallway. they saw McNickcr. enter
with a valisc in hand. The sergeant ar.
rested him on the spot, aud brought him
10 the siation.housc, where lac was
searched, but only Sl2 was found on him.
lie claims New York M his residence. and
admits that he is faro dealer. lie stated
that he was going 10 take train iur Little
Rock, at which place his family lives. lie
also stated that he had met Garner on the
train Saturday, while on his way from
Louisville, and that he had known
him ~ a gambler both In New York and
Chicago; that he took a room with him
and carried the message for Gamer to
Graham, but that he was in no way inter.
csicd In the transaction, further than that
he was to receive e. for his service, bul
that when lac returned from his trip with
Graham 20 the express Office Garner was
gone, aud he did not GIT q cent Of the
money. Garner, he SAYS, also goes under
the name Of Henry Jackson. lie hal NJ
idea where his pal had gone. Garner !.
evidently in the city, ~ his yalisc wa.
found Of his boariing.housc well iillcd
with shirts, collars, cuffs. a bottle OF wills
XIV aud two fine Smith 4 Wcsson pistols
The police are ON the look ont ior him.
Graham IL disconsolaic over his loss, and
realizing how iooshly he had acted insist
cd that the transaction should he kept alb
soluiely secret. lie will remain In tile cit,
10 appear against McNicken, aud ais,
Garner II he Is arrested.